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Dreamers are not criminals

In a Jan, 25, 2018, letter to the editor, "Work permits, not amnesty," the writer is oversimplifying the "Dreamer" problem. In a few sentences he went from saying they are here "through no fault of their own" to saying that the "Dreamers are criminals."

No disrespect intended but, in his own words, that is a "simple-minded" statement. In my opinion, a criminal is one whose actions are harmful to society. If an adult, in committing a crime, was accompanied by their minor child, would that make the child a criminal, too? I don't think so.

The Dreamers, or specifically the DACA recipients, are not criminals. The vast majority of them are students, military, workers or business owners. They have become productive members of society. They should be given permanent resident status, a "green card" and the opportunity, like all permanent residents, to apply for citizenship within 5 years. That would be a simple and just solution.

(23) comments

So, what would you do with their relatives who are criminals by bringing them here illegally, in your simple and just solution? Guess we know the answer.Aiding and abetting illegal aliens, including "dreamers", is also a criminal act, placing them above the well-being and best interest of the American citizen is disgusting.

Komondor, you have no idea what my answer is so don't presume to know. In fact I think all immigrants coming into this country need to be vetted. I'm not in favor of allowing known criminals into the country and I don't think anyone else is. I am in favor of increased border security using a variety of methods. We have walls and fences in some areas where appropriate. Technology and personnel need to be used in other areas where walls are not appropriate. I still feel that the DACA recipients came here through no fault of their own. America is the only country they have known and they deserve to stay and become productive citizens. Any who commit crimes should face the consequences.

So I guess you are conceding after all that the dreamers themselves are not criminals. That's a start. As for their parents, I would look at them on a case by case basis. If they have no criminal record (other than illegal entry) and have contributed to society, I would allow them to apply for permanent residency. If they have a criminal record I would consider incarceration or deportation depending on circumstances. This isn't a one size fits all solution. You have to look at circumstances.

Here is a dreamer who murdered a young Arizona man for no reason. https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2018/01/22/on-3rd-anniversary-of-grant-ronnebeck-murder-justice-still-denied/ Please don't say that all dreamers are somehow wonderful people. Most are probably decent and hard working, but not all.

There are good and bad people in every population. Is it right to deport all DACA recipients because one of them committed a crime? No it isn't. Prosecute the guilty ones to the full extent of the law like you would anyone else.

J Davis-you expanded the category of discussion to "people who have killed for no reason" so I guess I am a McIntosh to Granny Smith kind of guy. I would say it is impossible to find any group that numbers in the millions to have been completely law abiding. What is the ratio of law abiding Dreamers? That is far more relevant than pointing out one situation.

America has always been a humane country and it should treat the illegal aliens with respect. I propose that we give the illegal aliens 30 days to register with the government and then a grace period of up to one year during which they can close out their affairs: sell the house, let the kids finish out the school year, etc. The expectation would be that they would self-deport by the end of the grace period. However, if the registered aliens overstay the one-year period, or if they fail to register within the initial 30 day period then they would be subject to immediate deportation without appeal.

Wow!! That's a good one. You put some thought and effort into your solution. However, I disagree and I was trying to limit the discussion to the DACA recipients. You see, I was brought to this country as a young child also. I can really relate to their plight. I do have a question for you though. Does your plan also include the Non-Native Americans who took over this country illegally way back when and of course their descendants? In case you haven't figured it out, that would probably include yourself. That seems fair and just to me.

When you have no good response with concrete examples you go off-topic. I don't really care about the Canadian immigration system. I'm still focused on the DACA recipients in the USA. As children, they did not knowingly break any laws, therefore they are not criminals. Argue that all you want and you will be wrong.

Welcome to the discussion.

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